Strawberry plant variety named ‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ particularly characterized by the shape, size, and flavor of its fruit, and plant architecture, is disclosed.

Latin name: Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed varietyof strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that isgrown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred inBrittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginianawith Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessoryfruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from thereceptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, seasonof ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certainvarieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development oftheir reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appearhermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female.Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involvespropagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare rootplants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. Duringthe off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright redcolor, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is apopular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in preparedfoods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, thereis a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, thereis a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable,high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to animproved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the inventionrelates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria xananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ was discovered in Huelva,Spain in 2012, and originated from a cross between the proprietaryfemale parent ‘DrisStrawThirty’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,096) and theproprietary male parent ‘88R380’ (unpatented). A single plant wasselected and asexually propagated via stolons in Valladolid, Spain in2012.

‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons,and underwent further testing at a farm in Huelva, Spain for six years(2012 to 2017). The present variety has been found to be stable andreproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations viastolons.

‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ exhibits the following distinguishingcharacteristics when grown under normal horticultural practices inHuelva, Spain:

-   -   1. Large fruit size;    -   2. Shorter plant height; and    -   3. Medium plant vigor.

‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ was selected for the shape and size of its fruit,flavor of its fruit, and plant architecture.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographswhich show fruit of the plant, as well as the flowers and leaves. Thecolors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventionalphotographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are fivemonths old.

FIG. 1 illustrates longitudinal cross-sections and whole fruit ofvariety ‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’.

FIG. 2 illustrates the lower and upper surfaces of flowers of variety‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’.

FIG. 3A shows the upper surface of a leaf of variety‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’. FIG. 3B shows the lower surface a leaf of variety‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’. The data which define thesecharacteristics is based on observations taken in Huelva, Spain from2012 to 2017. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology.Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypicaldescriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptionsdepending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, andcultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ was taken from plants that were five months oldfrom planting. The indicated values represent averages calculated frommeasurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to TheRHS Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (RHS)(2007 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant IdentificationTerminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harrisand Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Classification:    -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.        -   Common name.—Strawberry.        -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘DrisStrawThirty’            (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,096).        -   Male parent.—The proprietary variety ‘88R380’ (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Height.—15.4 cm.        -   Diameter.—24.5 cm.        -   Number of crowns/plant.—4.6.        -   Growth habit.—Semi-upright.-   Stolon:    -   -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—7.        -   Diameter at bract.—4.28 mm.        -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Present.        -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 166B (Moderate reddish brown).-   Leaf:    -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.        -   Color of upper surface.—RHS NN137C (Greyish olive green).        -   Color of lower surface.—RHS 148B (Moderate yellow-green).        -   Variegation.—Absent.        -   Terminal leaflets.—Length: 7.4 cm. Width: 7 cm. Length/width            ratio: 1.06. Number of teeth/terminal leaflet: 20.8. Shape            of base: Rounded. Margin: Crenate. Shape in cross section:            Concave. Terminal leaflet shape: Orbicular. Terminal leaflet            apex: Rounded..        -   Petiole.—Length: 14.3 cm. Diameter: 4.2 mm. Attitude of            hairs: Slightly outwards. Bract frequency (number present on            each petiole): 2. Color: RHS 144B (Strong yellow-green).        -   Petiolule.—Length: 7 mm. Diameter: 3.3 mm. Color: RHS 144B            (Strong yellow-green).        -   Stipule.—Length.—7 cm. Width.—7 mm. Anthocyanin coloration:            Absent.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Position in relation to foliage.—Same level.        -   Pedicel.—Pedicel length: 13.3 cm. Pedicel diameter: 2.2 mm.            Pedicel color: RHS 144B (Strong yellow green).        -   Attitude of hairs.—Horizontal.        -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on            non-flattened flower): 24.6 mm. Flower depth: 7.88 mm.            Arrangement of petals: Overlapping. Stamen: Present. Typical            and observed number of flowers per plant: 35.        -   Petal.—Length: 11.9 mm. Width: 9.8 mm. Length/width ratio:            1.21. Typical and observed petal number: 8.1. Petal shape:            Orbicular. Apex shape: Rounded. Petal margin: Entire. Petal            base: Concave to convex. Color of upper side: RHS NN155C            (White). Color of lower side: RHS NN155B (White).        -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of            flower): 29.2 mm.        -   Sepal.—Length (sepal tip to point of attachment to            receptacle): 10.8 mm. Width: 5.4 mm. Typical and observed            sepal number: 14.3 (range of 12-15). Shape: Elliptical.            Apex: Truncate. Margin: Entire. Color of upper side: RHS            137A (Moderate olive green). Color of lower side: RHS 137D            (Moderate yellowish green).-   Fruit:    -   -   Length.—58.1 mm.        -   Width.—46.1 mm.        -   Length/width ratio.—1.26.        -   Weight.—32.4 grams.        -   Fruit hollow length.—21.8 mm.        -   Fruit hollow width.—3.4 mm.        -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—6.41.        -   Shape.—Conical.        -   Color.—RHS N45A (Moderate red).        -   Position of achenes.—Below surface.        -   Sunward achene color.—RHS 181A (Moderate red).        -   Shaded achene color.—RHS 142A (Strong yellow-green).        -   Position of calyx attachment.—Level with fruit.        -   Attitude of sepals.—Upwards.        -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 42B (Strong reddish            orange).        -   Color of core.—RHS 33C (Strong yellowish pink).-   Fruiting truss:    -   -   Truss length.—22.8 cm.        -   Truss diameter.—4.2 mm.        -   Number of berries per truss.—1.7.        -   Truss color.—RHS 144C (Yellow-green).-   Production:    -   -   Flowering interval.—Mid-November to mid-May.        -   Harvest interval.—End of December to mid-May.        -   Type of bearing.—Not remontant.        -   Productivity.—0.800 kg/plant of fruit per season from            eight-month-old plants when grown in Huelva, Spain.-   Resistance to pests and diseases:    -   -   Strawberry aphid (Chaetosiphon fragaefolii).—Moderately            susceptible.        -   Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae).—Moderately            susceptible.        -   Powdery mildew (Podosphaera macularis).—Moderately            susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ differs from the proprietary female parent‘DrisStrawThirty’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,096) in that fruit of‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ are larger in size as compared to fruit of‘DrisStrawThirty’. Moreover, plants of ‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ are shorterand less vigorous compared to plants of ‘DrisStrawThirty’.

‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ differs from the proprietary male parent ‘88R380’(unpatented) in that fruit of ‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ are larger in size,lighter color, less rough, show less cracking, and have a shorter shelflife with a higher severity score as compared to fruit of ‘88R380’.Moreover, plants of ‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ produce higher yields of fruitthan plants of ‘88R380’.

‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ differs from the commercial variety‘DrisStrawTwentySeven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,400) in that plants of‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ have a semi-upright growth habit, while plants of‘DrisStrawTwentySeven’ have a semi-upright to spreading growth habit.Additionally, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ have a narrow width of bandwithout achenes, while fruit of ‘DrisStrawTwentySeven’ have a very broadwidth of band without achenes. Moreover, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’have a calyx attachment that is level with fruit, while fruit of‘DrisStrawTwentySeven’ have a calyx attachment that is raised fromfruit.

‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ differs from the commercial variety‘DrisStrawEight’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,735) in that plants of‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ have a semi-upright growth habit, while plants of‘DrisStrawEight’ have an upright growth habit. Additionally, plants of‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ have inflorescence on the same level with foliage,while plants of ‘DrisStrawEight’ have inflorescence above foliage.Moreover, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ have a narrow width of bandwithout achenes, while fruit of ‘DrisStrawEight’ have a broad width ofband without achenes.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named‘DrisStrawSixtyFive’ as shown and described herein.